[Solved] Ways to Recover Data from Water Damaged iPhone

--Tuesday, Nov.29, 2016

The newly-revealed iPhone 7/7 Plus are rated at IP67 water-resistance (not waterproof
actually), which means they can resist water for 30 minutes maximum within a depth of 1 meter only if submerged. However, for the previous models of iPhones, they are in fact not water
resistant. Though you might rescue it from water if it just drops into water for seconds, it cannot
last even 30 seconds longer and be ruined. Stories of this kind happened all the time as the
following case tells.

"My iPhone 6 dropped into basin after I lost my grape while brushing my teeth. I got it out in a
second, but it works weird after that. Then, I rebooted it and found some of my contacts and
photos were gone somehow. Is there any way to get them back? Help! Thanks in advance. "

As a matter of fact, iPhone being water-damaged is already a bad news. It cannot be worse if it
furthermore causes data loss on iPhone. However, anxiety is no way to solve all the problems.
Calm down and read on. There are three feasible ways to help you get your lost data back on
iPhone with simple steps.

Facts: Normal Symptoms of a Water-damaged iPhone

Water damage of an iPhone can be caused by water and other liquids. Sadly and unfortunately,
liquid damage is not covered by Apple's warranty, which means that you have to be responsible
for it on your own. If you're not sure whether your iPhone is water-damaged or not, there are
some common things you can check for on your iPhone.

1. Buttons become less neat. Press and hold down "Power", "Home", "Volume Up" and "Volume
Down" buttons and check out whether they're working well. In some cases, users report that
they are unable to turn on or off their iPhone.

2. Hardware problems arise. Check for speaker, microphone and camera, see whether they're
working as usual. Moreover, if your iPhone is inclined to be overheated, it may be caused by
some hardware issues.

3. Screen tends to be less responsive or over-reactive. When using the iPhone, you may find it
hard to open an app or file. Swiping around is either not working sometimes. Or, apps/files might
keep opening or swinging as well as apps open without tapping.

4. You might be prompted by iPhone via warining messages like "This accessory is not made to work with
iPhone" or "Charging is not supported with this accessory." etc.

Method 1: Restore Contents from iPhone without Backups

There are two types of data available to directly restore from iOS device within 30 days, which
respectively are "Photos" and "Notes". If you've lost photos or notes on your iPhone, you can go
to "Recently Deleted" album/folders to check out whether they're there. If yes, you can select
them and tap "Recover". However, for other contents, iPhone doesn't support to restore without
backups, so you should try a powerful software to do so. Here let's try iPhone Data Recovery,
which performs an advanced scanning on iOS devices in order to access lost files.

Note that stop using your iPhone when it comes to data loss, for new data will overwrite old
contents, making them gone for ever.

Please download and install iPhone Data Recovery at first. Next, launch the program and
connect your water-damaged iPhone to it. The default feature is "Recover from iOS device", so
you don't have to change it.

Step 2. Scan and Recover Lost Data to Computer

After the connection, you'll be asked to choose certain items to scan. Choose the types of data
that you lost, for example, "Photos" and tap on "Start Scan".

Note that the more types of data you choose, the longer it takes to finish scanning.

When done scanning, you are allowed to check out the contents that are found via the software.
Deleted ones are marked in red with a small rubbish bin ahead. Then, decide which ones to
restore and tap on "Recover to Computer". Now, your files are saved and safe with the
computer.

Note that you can use iPhone Transfer to transfer files to your new phone if necessary.

Method 2: Retrieve Data from iTunes Backup Files

iTunes, as the official software of Apple, enables users to make a backup or do a restoration.
You can connect your new iPhone to iTunes, go to the "Summary" page and click on "Restore
from backup". However, it will erase all the contents on your new iPhone. If your new iPhone has
nothing stored on it, it's okay to restore iTunes backup files to it. However, if not, let iPhone Data
Recovery help you out.

Step 1. Scan iTunes Backup Files on Computer

Launch iPhone Data Recovery and select "Recover from iTunes Backup File". The program will
automatically scan out the iTunes backup files available on the computer. Then, those backups
will be displayed on the screen with detailed information like Model, Date, Size and Serial
Number. Tap one to "Start Scan".

Step 2. Choose Files and Restore to Computer

The software will scan out all the data included in iTunes backup. You can check out different
item from the left panel. Then, select desirable ones and click on "Recover to Computer".
Note that you can highlight all the files of the same type via double click > "Check All".

Method 3: Get Files Back from iCloud Backup Files

There is a possible way to get data back via iCloud. Once you bought a new iPhone, you will be
prompted whether to restore data from iCloud. However, if you already using the iPhone as a
new one and there are new contents stored on it, you might consider iPhone Data
Recovery.

Step 1. Log in iCloud Account

Open the software and click to choose "Recover from iCloud Backup File". You don't need to
plug your old/new iPhone to the computer. Now, type in your account and the software will be
allowed to get access to iCloud backup files.

Note that you need to download iCloud panel in order to download iCloud backups.

Step 2 Download and Retrieve Data from iCloud

Now, the iCloud backup files will be loaded on the program. Choose one and you will be
prompted to choose types of data to download from iCloud. Make your choices and tap on
"Next".

When it finishes downloading files, you can preview them in detail. Check those you want to
restore and tap on "Recover to Computer". By the way, contacts, messages and notes are
supported to directly restore to device. You can connect your new iPhone and get files back to it.

Tips & Notes: What to Do if iPhone Fell into Water?

1. Get your iPhone out of water right at the second it drops into water. The longer the phone
stays in water, the greater damage it will cause to hardware. If you get it out of water in time, the
damage can be limited to the minimum. Even if you're using an iPhone 7/7 Plus, I bet you don't
want to leave it in water for long.

2. Do not restart the iPhone immediately. Most of the time, people would unconsciously try to
turn on their phones if off. However, don't rush to press down your "Power" button. Since reboot
will start up some programs on the background, it's possible to bring about the breakdown of the
mainboard with no luck.

3. Remove SIM card. This steps is to prevent your SIM card from further damage. You certainly
don't want your SIM card to be damaged along with your iPhone. Take it out of the slot and
leave it aside until it's dry and clean. Plug it in other devices and see whether is all
right.

4. Dry your iPhone off via a hairdryer and a bowel of uncooked rice. You should rub your iPhone
with clothes in the first place. Next, shake it off (I don't mean the song of Taylor Swift) to get
water out as much as you can. Then, use a hairdryer to dry your iPhone off. However, don't let
the hot wind directly blow to your iPhone (especially the slots) for long due to the danger that it
may melt the circuit board and other parts. Lastly, put your iPhone into a bowel of uncooked
rice, for rice is able to absorb excessive water without damage.

After you get your lost data back on the computer, the next step for you is perhaps to consider
upgrading your iPhone to a new one. If you're planning to buy a new iPhone, you can resort to iPhone Transfer to import the contents from your old iPhone to your new iPhone without a hitch.